So, there has been a bunch of orders the last week for this guy, and everything is awesome and thank you all. I just want to make a request, that if you face any issue with fit or joint quality, any at all, to put some feedback here? WSF could be notorious with its varying quality and I want to know how the model is affected. This will also help me give advice for repairs and fixing when required. Thanks guys!
I have to say, I love this thing! I also love your "WIP" items on your Flickr account. (No...I'm not a stalker! ) I'm really looking forward to getting this as well as the possible other WIP stuff you have!
I wanna get this guy, but I am not sure what is the best material for painting. I was thinking WSFP to bring out the detail but idk if that'll make it hard to paint on?
None of the types are difficult to paint. Well I should clarify that everything I've tried, and that's most stuff other than FUD, but I don't expect FUD to dislike paint either. WSFP is my prime choice. It is strong and detailed. Just don't do what I did. I painted ball joints, both parts, and then let it sit for a month. The paint stuck together and when I tried to move it, I broke the ball joint.
They weren't wet to the touch and I think I gave them plenty of dry time, but I honestly don't remember. I kept playing with them for weeks after I painted them with no problem.
After your paint dries (please use acryllic) hit the joints with some petroleum jelly before assembly. Make sure to wipe away any excess.
Oh heavens I'm so sorry... One of my friends have brought to my attention that I omitted the mini-hammer from the Smashmaster sprue! That was an honest mistake after too many late nights. I apologise most, most, most sincerely from the bottom of my heart. I have already updated the Shapeways entry to include the hammer, so future orders will be complete, as it were. Updated sprue. The hammer is on his ass. Now, this is the important part. To make amends, I will be sending all who have ordered prior to April 24th (today) another Smashmaster with two mini-hammers to make up for the missing piece. All you have to do is to private message me the following details: Your order number Date of order The material you ordered Smashmaster in Your delivery address Most of the required information can be found on your receipt, so hopefully you kept it. I'll be sending the Smashmasters to each individual one of you. Of course, Shapeways and me have a copy of all the sales records, so the information you send to me must tally with what I have. I'll be waiting until the end of next week for responses. PM me by 6th May 2012. After that, I'll be closing the deals and initiating the orders.
Well, so here's a bit of background to Smashie. This was done initially as a commission by cybermnky so much of the initial transformation scheme, the use of the spear handle and the sheaths was done after much discussion between us. What you are suggesting now, we have touched upon during our brainstorming phases one way or another. There were a few threads we spoke about: 1. Spear diameter 5mm Pro: No incompatibility with deluxe/voyager hands. Con: Cyberverse figures can't use Seismus Con: High material use Con: A thick handle on a small spear will be, well, thick Con: Big, gorilla hands 2. Spear diameter 3mm, with sheaths Pro: Can be used on CV, dlx and voyagers Con: Partsforming = bad Con: Doesn't look right on deluxes with that thin handle 3. 2 spears, 1 3mm, 1 5mm Pro: Can switch use of spears for appropriate wielder Con: Partsforming, with an entire extra spear lying around. Con: Seismus can't wield one of his spears (be it 5mm or 3mm) 4: 1 spear with both 3mm and 5mm sections Pro: Can be wield by all size classes Con: Seismus can only hold his spear near the bottom Since Mnky wanted the spear to be able to be held in any position, he kinda pushed for no. 2 and we went for it. We didn't think the handle looked too thin at that time. At this point of typing the reply, I realised we can still do no. 4, spear with alternating 3mm, 5mm sections, and we open up the gaps between his fingers so that the spear can snap in like LEGO accessories. There's still a concern that the appearance of the spear might still suffer due to the undulating diameters, but I can do a mock up to see how it looks. The handle will resemble something like Terradive's trident. For your other point on tapering his foot area, I made the conscious decision not to do that and I made that side flat instead. The reason is because his lower legs are already 'bell-bottomed'. If I add slopes on his inner leg he won't be able to stand with his legs parallel. To change the appearance of the hammer means altering the entire figure. Edit: I have a confession to make. Seismus is basically a commissioned piece and at this point I consider him 'complete'. He is not a passion-driven project like the WFC cassettes, so I personally have no motivation to alter anything about him now unless for a functional reason. I fully appreciate all the comments, Daim, and I thank you so much for your help and support. If there is going to be any changes made, I'll rather design an entirely new figure.
FB. What I mean by the handle is that you don't need to change the current design, just make another handle that can peg in to Seimus, and still be used by a DX figure. Does it make sense? Whoops.. that's already option 3... Well, you can make a 5mm peg handle that could be used as a shoulder mounted cannon in bot mod, and when in hammer mode, the 3mm spear, can be attached to the bottom of that handle... No worries if you don't want to change it. I'm just suggesting in case you'd want to update it. You did mention that you were going to make Grand Daddy anyway. EDIT: Thor's Hammer...
Here's an idea for the tapered leg... How about making a flap that would collapse flat on his legs in bot mode, and can be opened up to cover once in hammer mode?
I like the sound of Grand Daddy It's good thinking. I'm just wondering if it's worth it at that scale. Based on my experience designing the Snitch, WSF is not really friendly with tiny hinges...
I almost can't put this bot down... Just so awesome with the design. Got a few more questions, if you don't mind. 1. I like the waist joint. When transforming to "Smasher" mode, the legs fold up onto the waist. Why not fold it up to the stomach? It helps it to be more stable in Smasher mode, especially when the 5mm sheaths have been taken off. 2. I liked how you designed the Thuggers and the way their feet fold up. Do you think you can add feet to Seismus? I've been drying my stuff after cleaning them in warm water. It seems that Shapeways has a lot more powder with their WSF nowadays. Tomorrow, hopefully, I'll be able to start getting some colors... Can't wait to get the Snitches built. Great job buddy!
Thanks very much. Hope you'll have a lot of fun painting! 1. I like the waist joint. When transforming to "Smasher" mode, the legs fold up onto the waist. Why not fold it up to the stomach? It helps it to be more stable in Smasher mode, especially when the 5mm sheaths have been taken off. By folding the legs up to the stomach, do you mean lengthening the lower legs (or shortening the upper) so they'll reach up to cover his stomach? If I do so 2 things will happen. First the legs have to be even more bell-bottomed to accommodate the thick torso. Second, the torso and arms have to suffer by being shrunk down to fit into the lower legs. Oh, and thirdly, the circumference of the hammer will increase as the lower legs increase. Presently I felt the lower legs are flared open enough. From the back you can see how hollow they are and so much weight is attributed to the upper body. The center of gravity is really high for Seismus. 2. I liked how you designed the Thuggers and the way their feet fold up. Do you think you can add feet to Seismus? Sure I could... We can keep the present transformation and add a foot joint to the current legs. However, this will thicken the hammer considerably, but it can still be done. Expect to add at least 4mm on both sides of the hammer for that joint, which compared to the entire figure, 8mm is huge.
If you add the foot, it can serve as a flap that would meet the side above the waist. The sides of Seismus is already tapered which should work with the tapered shape of the foot. In turn, it should stabilize it in Smasher mode. Does it make sense?
